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Weight

60-70 lbs

Height

Male: 23-24.5; Female: 22-23.5 inches

Color(s)

solid black or liver

Overview

The Flat Coated Retriever was developed in the 1800's and is a cross between the Irish Setter, Labrador, Water Dog, and St. John's Newfoundland. It is also believed that Collie is in the bloodline of this dog as well. This breed is an excellent swimmer and bird dog, but also makes a wonderful companion. He is commonly confused with that of the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever, however is in a category all his own. This breed does exceptionally well in hunting, tracking, watch dogging, and also agility and obedience. Given the right training, this breed can excel in many different sports and also make a wonderful family companion.

Character

The Flat Coated Retriever is a very high-spirited and devoted family pet. This breed craves human attention and does very well in large families where he can be the center of attention. This breed is very happy go lucky, sweet, and affectionate, but also has a sense of humor and is sure to light up a room with his funny ways. The Flat Coated Retriever is naturally very obedient and has a very even temperament, but with all dogs, he does require training and socialization to become the lovely and very friendly companion that he can be.

Temperament

The Flat Coated Retriever has a very jolly personality. He gets along well with just about everyone, including small children and does exceptionally well with other dogs. The Flat Coated Retriever is a very intelligent breed and is eager to please, but does require something in return, human companionship and affection. This breed does not do well in a kennel environment and needs to be part of the family, although he does love the outdoors. The Flat Coated Retriever steals the hearts of everyone he meets with his fun loving, endearing, and friendly personality. He would make a wonderful companion for a family of all kinds.

Care

The Flat Coated Retriever does require quite a bit of grooming due to the feathering on the lower quarters of the dog. This breed should be brushed on a regular basis with a firm bristle brush, but should only be bathed when necessary. The coat of this breed has the tendency to trap burrs and sticks so if this breed is to have free roam in a yard, the coat should be checked for said items. This breed doesn't need much trimming as the coat is usually of natural length, however some trimming may be required occasionally.

Coat

The Flat Coated Retriever has a coat that is of moderate length along the body of the dog and should be of equal fullness. The coat should be straight and flat lying. The coat should never be curly or silky, however a slight wave is acceptable. The coat along the tail, legs, neck, and underbelly should be longer and slightly feathered without being fluffy or wooly in texture.

Training

The Flat Coated Retriever is a highly intelligent and trainable dog and makes a wonderful student. This breed is very jolly and energetic so should require consistency, however excessive repetition is sure to bore him and he will quickly lose interest. Discipline is not required, and correction and positive reinforcement work best. Making training fun with a variety of techniques will be sure to keep his attention, and he will excel much further.

Activity

The Flat Coated Retriever is a large breed that enjoys quite a bit of running, a game of fetch, and long jogs with his owner. Being so energetic, this breed should require at least 2 hours of exercise daily, so an average sized fenced in yard would work best. Long daily walks are definitely enjoyed by this breed and without a fenced in yard to give them exercise, this is required and not optional. The Flat Coated Retriever loves to go on hikes with his owner, so an energetic family that loves the outdoors would be the ideal companion for this fun loving breed.

Ownership

Help reduce the number of Flat Coated Retriever puppies in shelters by doing your due diligence. Many puppies are often purchased with little or no knowledge of what goes into parenting one. Uneducated decisions often leave the puppy in need of adoption and in the care of rescue groups. Bringing home a puppy into your family has many benefits but we first implore you to educate yourself. An informed decision will take into account the characteristics of the breed, your lifestyle, expected veterinary care, the demands and limitations of owning one, their activity requirements and levels of companionship required.

Characteristics

Size:

Grooming Needs:

Exercise Needs:

Good With Dogs:

Watchdog Ability:

Featured Flat Coated Retriever Breeder

Dedicated to producing Quality companion dogs for Family and Field. Our use of American, Canadian, English and European lines promotes a deep genetic pool to promote health and vitality. Our puppies are raised within the home for temperament and socialization. Active hunters with the patience for y...

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Anonymous asked:

7/11/2011 5:39:39 AM

7/11/2011 5:39:39 AM

Hello, we have had a 10 week old flat coated retriever puppy for a week. She comes from a... Hello, we have had a 10 week old flat coated retriever puppy for a week. She comes from a breeder and is toilet trained. We get up twice at night to let her out. She usually goes back to sleep after her first wake up (about 2am ish) but after the next one (4.30am ish), she wants to play. We ignore her but she barks incessantly for half an hour, goes back to sleep for a short period of time and starts barking again until we get up (about 6.45am). We do leave toys with her (kong and hide bone) to keep her entertained until we get up but it only seems to work for a very short while. Has anyone got any advice how to stop the barking? It is very loud and unbearable at times. It keeps us awake and my 13 year old daughter is still at school. Friends have suggested a crate but I am not sure this is an option now as she has been with us for just over a week and we would still have to get up at night to let her out.
Thank you

2 Comments

Anonymous

A crate would be a great idea. My flat coat isn't much of a barker, but having a crate to put her back into might help with the barking. It'll tell her "Hey, I gotta go back to sleep." It's also a great idea to crate train her as she enters her chewing phase so she doesn't destroy things when you leave the house. I would also keep ignoring her when she's barking. Giving into her is showing her that barking means good things. It's something that you might have to grin and bear for a little while, unfortunately. 7/22/2011 2:00:53 AM

Anonymous

I let mine sleep in his own bed in my room...he knows its time to sleep when he's in there.11/23/2012 12:16:30 AM

Anonymous asked:

5/9/2011 9:04:24 PM

5/9/2011 9:04:24 PM

I took in two strays that someone had left at the end of our gravel road. The dogs look like a... I took in two strays that someone had left at the end of our gravel road. The dogs look like a Flat Coated Retriever, only their fur is blonde! Its not white or even yellow; its blonde. Is it possible that these dogs are flat coated retrievers?

1 Comment

Anonymous

Yes! Flat-coated retrievers CAN come in yellow! It isn't an accepted color in dog shows because Goldens originated from FCRs and yellow was a unwanted color b/c it a Golden Color.
Another way you can tell if your pup is a FCR is:
ALL (yes ALL) FCRs have their front bottom two teeth are shorter/lower than the rest.5/18/2011 5:57:03 PM

Anonymous asked:

4/21/2011 10:23:39 PM

4/21/2011 10:23:39 PM

Is a Flat Coated Retriever harmful to other caged pets such as a rabbit?

2 Comments

Anonymous

yes! my flat coated retriever would try and chase/eat any other animal. they are very much hunting dogs5/1/2011 8:32:25 PM

Anonymous

That depends. Flat Coated Retriever's are a hunting dog and if the have been used in the field possibly, but they could become fast friends if they are introduced to each other an early age. 5/1/2011 9:18:15 PM

Anonymous asked:

10/6/2010 12:32:14 PM

10/6/2010 12:32:14 PM

my hysband just found an abadended dog that resembles a Flat Coated Retriever dog but we are... my hysband just found an abadended dog that resembles a Flat Coated Retriever dog but we are unsure. She seams to be a puppy but is shy. She didnt eat for at least 4 days and was getting rocks thrown at here. Is there any special needs that she would require besides an exam and shots? Is there some special dog food for this bread??

4 Comments

Anonymous

I have a Flatcoat and can tell you the easiest way to feed her is quality dry kibble and drizzle some olive oil over it. Not only will she eat it up but it gives her coat a great shine. She will really have no special needs other than her regular check ups with the vet. She should be a absolute sweetheart once she is used to everyone and feels safe1/1/2011 5:10:34 PM

Anonymous

Thanks a lot. She has been sheading a lot is that normal? I dont believe she is pure breed, but has long hair and a lot of it.1/4/2011 9:44:26 AM

Anonymous

It's great you have the heart to pick up a stray. Flat Coated Retrievers don't shed more than many long haired dogs, but it's black and you do notice more,Goldens shed TONS more. Check your local feed store rather than a "pet" store. There are many quality foods with out the premium price, check the ingredients. They should start with meat. A regiment of heart worm and flea medication is advisable.1/24/2011 1:24:32 PM

Anonymous

You should get your dog to the vet to check her for worms. Most dogs found outside have worms, especially heart worm.2/19/2011 9:20:09 AM

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